Introducing a new feature on The Desk: The Media Wrap-Up, a weekly briefing highlighting interesting stories from across the media industry.
This week’s media wrap:
- Hulu introduces bingeable ads: A new feature will use machine learning to tell if a viewer on the company’s ad-supported plan is binge-watching a show. If they are, an special ad will allow viewers to watch additional episodes of a series with limited commercial interruptions. [TechCrunch]
- AT&T TV gets national rollout date: The streaming service poised to replace AT&T TV Now, AT&T U-Verse and supplant much of AT&T’s DirecTV satellite offering will officially roll out nationwide in February 2020. The service is being test-marketed in 15 cities. [Fierce Wireless]
- Lawmakers crack down on cable’s “hidden fees:” A bill passed by House lawmakers this week would prevent cable and satellite companies like Comcast and DirecTV from hiding fees from consumers in an effort to thwart companies from baiting customers with low advertised prices then saddling them with higher-than-expected bills. [The Desk]
- AT&T TV Now may shut down: According to an analyst, AT&T’s pivot toward making AT&T TV its primary TV offering may result in the shutdown of AT&T TV Now, formerly DirecTV Now, it’s over-the-top solution for cordcutters. [Broadcasting & Cable]
- Vudu offers credits for crappy rentals: Ever rent a movie only to find out it’s not what you thought it’d be? If you’re watching on Vudu, you can now request a rental credit within the first 30 minutes of a movie. The Walmart-owned service will also price-match other services like iTunes and Amazon Video if a cheaper price for a rental is found within the first 12 hours of a purchase. [The Verge]
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